Soldiers represent Team USA in volleyball tournament

Photo By Lt. Col. Keith Hickox | KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait – The U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait, his Excellency Ambassador Lawrence Robert Silvermann, recognizes Team USA, women’s volleyball team on April 6 at U.S. Embassy Kuwait. The team, which included three 28th Infantry Division soldiers, competed in the 3rd International Women’s Volleyball Tournament on March 31 at the at the British Academy of Sport, Kuwait City. (courtesy photo)  

KUWAIT

03.31.2018

Courtesy Story

Task Force Spartan

By 1st Lt. Lisa Wendel
28 ID, Task Force Spartan Public Affairs

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – Sounds of applause, laughter and cheers filled the courtyards at the British Academy of Sport, Kuwait City, as fans cheered on their team at the 3rd International Women’s Volleyball Tournament. On March 31, teams representing eight different countries, came to compete for the championship title and share their love of sports with one another.
“I was excited to play because I think events like this bring the military together with the community to build friendship and rapport,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jennifer Horst. An Operational Contracting Support Deputy Chief in the 28th Infantry Division, Horst was one of three U.S. Soldiers selected to represent Team USA. Horst is a volleyball commissioner back home in the state of Pennsylvania and said the opportunity was a great fit for her.
On its third year, the tournament has expanded to include new countries and reach out to more people in Kuwait City. Lucian Anida, the British Academy of Sport Director, hopes to continue to make the event larger and further promote sports in the community. Teams battled until the final match of Philippines versus Kuwait, with Philippines winning and defending their title. Many of the matches were close, with teams winning only by the required two points.
Dr. Dalal Al Ahmadi, a newly graduated pediatrician, plays on the Kuwaiti team and said their team practices together regularly and also competes in their free time. Al Ahmadi said sports are key for healthy bodies and healthy minds.
“It’s important for little kids and women to participate in sports in order to get a competitive spirit,” said Al Ahmadi. “Sports and extracurricular activities can give people a real sense of purpose.”
Sgt. Brittany Swartzwelder, 28 ID contracting officer representative, showed great athleticism during the event, blocking many shots to help earn team USA’s third place spot in the tournament. She said she had fun at the event and learned that, “Relationships matter anywhere you go and it’s important for Soldiers to meet new people outside of their workplace.”
Team USA was led by Tessy Cabrera, a family member of the U.S. Embassy Kuwait. Cabrera organized the team because she wanted to represent her country and make new connections. She invited Soldiers from 28 ID to participate in the event as she thought they would be great athletes and enjoy meeting new people.
As teams parted for the day, Soldiers and teammates of Team USA walked away with the true victory, new friends and great memories.
“Even on Team USA, we were all from different cultural backgrounds and heritages,” Cabrera said. “Sports tied us all together and can bring the morale up of people everywhere.”

• Date Taken: 03.31.2018
• Date Posted: 04.06.2018 07:54
• Story ID: 272023
• Location: KW